Russell bags brace for Hood
Robin Hood survived a first-half wobble against Hamilton Parish to secure victory with two goals from Antwan Russell in the Premier Division at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.
Hood thrashed Southampton Rangers 6-1 last weekend and continued their free-scoring form with Lejuan Simmons giving the home side the lead in the third minute with a neat finish.
They extended their lead in the 25th minute when Joseph Perreira picked out Simmons with a ball from deep, with the winger dribbling into the box before linking up well with Russell who tapped home from close range.
Parish were fortunate not to fall further in arrears when a deflected shot from Simmons struck the crossbar with Nigel Burgess, the Parish goalkeeper, well beaten having already committed himself.
Hood seemed to be firmly in control but conceded a soft goal when their defence was caught napping, with Donovan Thompson racing clear before steering the ball past Jason Simmons, the Hood goalkeeper, with a precise left-foot finish on 34 minutes.
Five minutes before the break Parish drew level when Jaylon Bather, the Hood defender, horribly misjudged a headed clearance allowing Ryan Tyrell to breach the Hood defence and fire home from the edge of the box.
Kyle Lightbourne, the Hood coach, was forced to make a change at the break with Alex Martin replacing the injured Chris Fosker in the heart of the Hood defence.
Russell restored Hood’s lead on the hour mark with a well-taken left-footed drive, as the home side regained control of the game.
Lightbourne then introduced Nathan Peskett, the former Flanagan’s Onions player, to add further bite to their midfield.
In the 86th minute Hood added a fourth when Mackih McGowan placed a low shot past Burgess after good work by the effervescent Simmons.
Russell, the Hood captain, admitted he was relieved his side had claimed the three points against a Parish side still searching for their first win of the season.
“It was a good result although I’m disappointed we let them get back from 2-0 down,” said Russell, who scored a hat-trick against Rangers last weekend.
“Parish haven’t won a game all season and we knew they were going to bring it.
“But we were always confident even when they pulled level.”
Russell said he was satisfied with his five-goal tally in the league but insisted there was more to his game than just finishing.
“Goals are a big part of my game, but I’ll take the three points over goals any day,” he said.
“I know I can stick the ball in the net and I like to see some of the other guys like Lejuan and Mackih on the scoresheet.”
Robin Hood (4-4-2): J Simons — D Andrade, J Perreira, J Bather, C Fosker (sub: A Martin, 45min) — L Simmons, S Brown, M Thomas (sub: N Peskett, 67), A Nelson (sub: M McGowan, 78)— A Russell, M Braganovic. Substitutes not used: J Titterton, S Burchall, T Dill.
Hamilton Parish: N Burgess — J Bean (sub: R Somner, 65), A Smith, E Signor, P Richardson — Y Dill, M Walker, T Webb (J Hunt-Tucker, 76), C Caisey — R Tyrell (B Swainson, 89), D Thompson. Substitutes not used: J Hunt-Tucker. Booked: Dill.
Referee: A Bailey.